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Storming the Grocery Outlet gates

Grocery Outlet, the West Coast chain of “bargain markets,” now has found a home in Sequim.

The new store, located next to Sequim’s new Ross Dress for Less, had its ribbon cutting during a special open house for members of the Sequim Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, August 10.

The store opened to the public Thursday morning, then held its Grand Opening on Saturday.

The grand opening attracted hundreds of early morning shoppers who wanted to check out the new store’s promised bargains and partake in the free gifts and activities.

By Sunday evening “probably about 3,500 people had come through,” said Linda Hebert, co-owner with her husband Mitch of the new store.

It was “fabulous,” Linda said. She added that the store’s 35 new employees “did great.”

Nancy and Roy Townsend were among the first in line Saturday morning. They said they first discovered Grocery Outlet in Kingston. “We’ve loved it for years,” Nancy said. “We’re really glad they’re now here in Sequim.”

The Heberts are very familiar with Grocery Outlet and with Washington. In fact they were living in Longview when they first spotted the opportunity to get involved with the expanding chain.

After talking with friends who owned the Emunclaw store, they decided to give up their careers with other retailers and join Grocery Outlet, training in the Longview and Chehalis stores before they began operating their first store in Sparks, Nev., in 2006.

The two wanted to move back to the Northwest and saw Sequim as a great opportunity.

To make sure everything goes smoothly, they brought along their Sparks store manager and office manager, Frank and Maia Cosio.

Grocery Outlet stocks a full line of meat, fresh produce and canned, frozen and dry goods. Linda said the store’s most popular items include the extensive selection of wine, Rexall drugs and the fresh eggs and dairy products.

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